What struck me about the niksen class was that this is all very nice for a lazy Sunday afternoon, but could you ever practise it when you really need it, such as in the middle of a busy working day at the office? How will staring out of the window or becoming mesmerised by the steam rising off your coffee go down with your hard-working colleagues or, more importantly, your boss?

In the working world, indulging in a bit of niksen could look like shirking or laziness. Even when working from home, away from judging looks, we often feel a need to always remain busy, so engrained is it that our working hours should be filled with purpose and output. So, how can we overcome this?

Dr Sandi Mann, senior psychology lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire and author of The Science Of Boredom, tells Stylist: “When we have a lot to do, we can experience productivity guilt if we take any time to rest. However, we shouldn’t feel guilty – taking time to do nothing is really important.

“It can be useful to reframe the way we think about this – it’s an extremely productive use of our time that we should prioritise and protect. When we allow our minds to wander, this helps us to be more creative and can spark new ideas that bring life and energy to our work.”

To prepare for niksen when at work, Smith advises scheduling a specific time: “Most people require a break from screens after 45 minutes, so add it to your diary. Put ‘do not disturb’ on your devices and calendar and explain to colleagues why you won’t be available for the next few minutes. Wearing headphones, with or without sound, can be a useful way to stay undisturbed. Start small with one to three minutes. If your brain starts to think thoughts, simply acknowledge them, then let them go.”

It also helps to explain the cognitive benefits of niksen to your boss. After all, who wouldn’t appreciate a more creative, sharp and focused employee?

Should ‘niksen’, the art of doing nothing, be part of your working day?